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kiln control problem

updated fri 18 jun 99

 

Bryan on tue 8 jun 99

Hi
I am having intermittent trouble with my PerfectFire II kiln controller.
It shuts off for no apparent reason at random times and temperatures. The
preset parameters are set correctly. No error messages are generated. The
wires seem to be far enough away from unit and pyrometer. No power failure
at time of problem.

If you have any clues about this mystery I'd like to hear them!

Bryan

John Baymore on wed 9 jun 99

------------------
(snip)

I am having intermittent trouble with my PerfectFire II kiln controller.
It shuts off for no apparent reason at random times and temperatures. The
preset parameters are set correctly. No error messages are generated. The
wires seem to be far enough away from unit and pyrometer. No power failure
at time of problem.

(clip)

Bryan,

One possibility that is =22unseen=22 is some sort of RF (Radio Frequency)
getting into the controller, induced current leaking into the circuitry of
the controller, or voltage spikes/low voltage reaching the controller.

Are there any radio transmitters REALLY nearby the controller or it's
associated wiring if it is remoted to a wall? Cell phone..... cordless
phone..... CB.....ham rig....... etc.

If the controller is remoted to a wall....... is there a large electrical
appliance that is located near the controller or is the wiring supplying
that device running in the wall just behind the controller?

Is your power supply plagued by voltage spikes or borderline brownouts?

Some food for thought.

Best,

....................john

John Baymore
River Bend Pottery
22 Riverbend Way
Wilton, NH 03086 USA

603-654-2752
JBaymore=40compuserve.com
John.Baymore=40GSD-CO.COM

=22Earth, Water, and Fire climbing kiln firing workshop Aug. 20-29,1999=22

Euclids on fri 11 jun 99

Hi
> I am having intermittent trouble with my PerfectFire II kiln controller.
> It shuts off for no apparent reason at random times and temperatures.
The
> preset parameters are set correctly. No error messages are generated. The
> wires seem to be far enough away from unit and pyrometer. No power
failure
> at time of problem.

Hi Bryan,
I`d like to help with this. It would be easier to contact me off-list via
our 800 # below.
Thanks,
Chris @
Euclids Kilns & Elements
1-800-296-5456
euclids.com
mail@euclids.com

Bryan on thu 17 jun 99

I think that I have figured out the problem. The relay for the middle
elements was working erratically. When it wasn't working to turn on the
elements the kiln would heat slowly and the power would be on long enough
for the controller to hit the preset parameter. The BIG clue that the relay
wasn't working was that the elements were ON all by them selves with the
controller having no effect on them. I haven't replaced the relay yet so I
am not entirely sure that this is the problem.

Thanks for the hints.

Bryan

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